Monday, 3 September 2018

Strength of a Woman: Diana King on the power of the mind Diana King has always been a fighter. Nothing keeps her down. Not even a debilitating illness like multiple sclerosis. “I was told I may never walk again,” she says of receiving the diagnosis years ago. But after months of conflicting emotions, she told herself she had to make a change. “I got up one day and I just walked, even though I couldn’t feel my legs,” she remembers, speaking with Sri Lanka’s New Indian Express. “My doctors still can’t believe it. It was purely the power of the mind.” Her commitment to music, the songstress admits, helped her heal. “I have never taken any drugs for MS. Only meditation and music,” she says. “Sometimes I still can’t feel my legs, [but] you’d never know.” What has she learned from the experience? “I am more self-aware and mature now,” says King, whose big hits include “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Shy Guy.” “I have learned to always do my best and to take everything one day at a time.”

Simon’s Struggles: The medical issues, returning to the airwaves If you thought Simon Crosskill had gone into retirement, think again. The veteran broadcaster took some time off to deal with health challenges. But he’s back, returning to the RJR Group to host Hitz 92’s Sports Grill, stepping in for Patrick Anderson, who is on leave of absence. Crosskill’s medical issues are quite serious. “The illness is an ongoing process that requires a number of surgeries. The last [one] was done last month,” he recently revealed. “[So] I am returning to the media after being out for a couple of months dealing with [the] illness. I am hoping to return to full fitness.” Crosskill hosted Sports Grill prior to leaving Lyndhurst Road for CVM, where he was the face of Live at 7.

Home and Away: Omari widens his reach, readies new album Like fellow reggae gospel ambassador DJ Nicholas, Omari Edwards now calls Florida home. Why did he migrate? “I wanted to spread the music and push the message in different spaces,” he recently told the Observer’s Kevin Jackson. “I am also looking to expand my brand and tap into other markets outside of Jamaica. The entertainer, whose popular tunes include “Jehovah Guide Me,” “Why?” and the breakout hit “Help,” has a new album, Royalty, due out later this year. The 24-track sophomore set will be released via his Hub Entertainment label, featuring production credits from Donovan Germaine, Ty Shane, Danny Browne and Arif Cooper.